The Stages of Life

Elle, Big Grandma and Dalton

As my mother-in-law Mildred was getting up there in age, hitting 90 two years ago, we knew the day was coming for her to meet the Lord, her maker.  This day has arrived, as she passed away this morning around 7:00 a.m.  I think I am still in shock.  It doesn't seem real.  It began on Wednesday with her having a fall at the nursing home.  They thought she broke her femur, but CT scans showed she didn't and her orthopedic doctor thought she would return to the health center in a few days.  Then, on Thursday morning my husband gets a call from her MD saying that she had taken a turn to the worse.  Her kidneys were shutting down. It was mind boggling how things could change so quickly, just when you stop praying for her to be ok. The doctor told us that when you are her age and the kidneys shut down that it is usually within 48 hours that they are gone. My husband sat by her bedside Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.  I accompanied him on Thursday, knowing I had to bring myself to go and see her and say my goodbyes.  This was one of the most difficult things for me to do, having witnessed my own father passing away in a hospital bed when I was only 6 years old.  To say I have problems coping with death and funerals, is an understatement.  Knowing she was suffering, it was a relief when she was finally at peace with God.  She hung on until all of her children were there to see her and says their goodbyes.  They came from Texas, Colorado and California.

Elle is at college and feels horrible that she hasn't been here during this hard time.  This is her and Dalton's first time having to deal with losing a loved one.  It will be very difficult to watch how they react to her services and burial.  Death is a horrible thing to have to deal with, but yet a stage of life that we must endure. They are both very fortunate to not be forced to deal with it until now.  My husband and I both lost our dads when we were very young.

Rest in Peace Mildred.  I hope you are with your husband and all the other loved ones who passed before you.  You will be missed my many. We all love you always.